Snakebite Admit he “let off” MVG
Peter Wright admitted he “let off” Michael van Gerwen after missing out in the final of the Unibet World Grand Prix.
The World No 2 couldn’t hold back the mean, green winning machine, losing 5-2 in final in Dublin last night.
Snakebite kept it level after four sets but then MVG won a crucial last leg decider in the fifth and was unstoppable thereafter.
Wright said: “I let him off loads. No disrespect, he’s a fantastic player and won this tournament four times now only because I let him off.
“But my form this year has been up and down and it was good to get to the final. I had an awesome comeback against Mensur Suljovic yesterday.
“I thought to be honest I’d be playing Gary Anderson in the final but obviously Daryl Gurney beat him. I thought Gary would go on to beat Michael. I still would have lost!
“I’m mixing it but I’m not one of these guys like Michael and Gary. I turn up and enjoy my darts and if I can still mix it with the best two players in the world then I’m happy.”
MVG wrapped up his fourth Grand Prix title despite being clearly below his best in the opening stages - and now admits he just wants to peg Wright back off the World No 1 spot.
MVG said: “To be fair I didn’t play well in the beginning at all, I was struggling. I won a set here and there but I was fighting really hard.
“All credit to Peter but I didn’t perform anything that I could have done in the last two games. I don’t know why but there’s always a winner’s instinct in me. I think that helped me survive tonight.
“When I won the fifth set in a decider I think you could see my relief. Every time I broke his throw, he came back straight away and punished me in my set.
“I kept telling myself ‘please Mike get it going’ and he kept putting me under pressure. But then I did the right things at the right moment.
“I didn’t play phenomenal tonight but I did play a phenomenal tournament. It’s very nice to win a final against Peter when you play below your best.
“But so much credit to him, he’s had a phenomenal season and done really well. Everyone underestimates him all the time. I hope I can keep him off the World No 1 spot.”
By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)